David Shulman: “Sisyphus sets to work; he doesn't have to ask himself why”Finally, with a wave of the hand, he shows the Palestinians: you can plow over there (on the hillside bordering on the highway), but not here, or in the next field, or in the wadi, or on the slope to the south, or on the slope to the east, or anywhere near the settlement, or where you have just plowed, or near the big well, or for that matter, in any place under the burning sun except for that one, small, rocky, insignificant field I've just shown you. I have to confess that I hate these moments. I've had my fill of them. It usually ends up with the Palestinians being pushed farther and farther away, into an ever-narrowing space, until they reach the dead end that was waiting for them all along. ... The truth is, I know why. The thief has his reasons. On the highway just under Avigail, a big sign reads: “We're expanding.” If you want–and if you're Jewish–you can probably already buy a house in Avigail's newest suburb.Read more...

Inside Occupy Wall Street: Journalist-Participant Describes What Life Is Really Like (Complicated and Inspiring) at Zuccotti ParkAlthough it may appear chaotic to the outside observer, the decision-making process in Liberty Plaza is incredibly organized. The working groups are the subcultures of the larger movement, and within them like-minded individuals share ideas and use their own particular creativity. The working groups ensure that no ideas are lost, while the general assembly (GA) assures that none becomes tyrannical. That all opinions are considered is perhaps the best rebuttal to offer people who have yet to understand Occupy Wall St. If you are part of the 99 percent exploited by corporations and their government, but dislike Occupy Wall St., don't write off the demonstrators; join them and ask questions -- create your own change. Speaking for Occupy Wall St.'s dedication to inclusiveness and tolerance is that anyone can form a working group. To create one of these panels, designed for similarly knowledgeable or passionate persons to share their insight and creativity, any individual may announce at a general assembly that he or she would like to start a new group. Once established, the group holds meetings, the time and place of which are announced at the GA, and anyone is welcome to attend. Working groups are free to act in accordance with their own desires. They may problem-solve and ask for additional help -- the sanitation group, for example, often makes announcements asking people to help clean up after themselves. But should a working group wish to make a suggestion that may reach beyond itself to affect the whole group, a representative or facilitator, often someone who is either the most knowledgeable or long-term member (and they shift) presents the idea at the general assembly. There, a vote determines whether the initiative will go forward.Read more...

Occupy Wall Street Showdown: Triumph and Tense ClashesReports circulated that the person targeted by the cops was arrested for jumping over a barrier. Another clash reportedly involved an older woman who was grabbed by the police. I witnessed a tense shouting match between a man attempting to cross the sidewalk and a policeman trying to herd him. Throughout all of this, the protestors remained non-violent. An assembly of protestors gathered in the middle of the park and cranked up the ‘human microphone’ (a system of repeating phrases of the speaker so that the crowd can hear). A young woman thanked the crowd for remaining calm despite the police, and a young man called for everyone with cell phones to send word to friends and family that people were needed and that the entrance on Trinity Street was now the only way into the park. Within ten to fifteen minutes, the park was once again full of people – too many for any raid the police might have thought to undertake with the smaller crowd. It appeared that at least for the moment technology had triumphed, and that if the cops became aggressive there would likely be a similar call and response.Read more...

Occupy Wall Street's Remarkable SuccessWhat struck me immediately is how thoughtful they are. They want to make a different kind of protest. Time and again, they make clear their devotion to this principle of inclusiveness and horizontal organization. And they are right now gathering strength around the world. There is no pressing reason for them to come up with a formal agenda. They have voice. Even Washington has to listen.Read more...